Welcome to flyover country, where it's anything but plain. You've been over it, but it's time to take a closer look. The Great Plains is North America's Serengeti; home to elk, bison, prairie chickens and some of our important wild places like the Ozarks, the Mississippi River, the Badlands and the Tallgrass Prairie. Tens of millions of people from all walks of life live here and enjoy everything from birdwatching and hiking to hunting and fishing. We provide much of the nation's food and energy and play a key role in conserving the most critical lands and waters for our sustainable future. Begin your journey through the Great Plains in the sprawling big sky country of Montana, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. Then discover the tallgrass and rolling hills of Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Oklahoma and Missouri. Once you've explored the lush and rugged landscape of Arkansas, finish the journey in Texas where the Great Plains meet the gulf. The preserve's alkaline lakes support a large breeding population of piping plovers. Badlands National Park is rich in fossils, inspiring views and fascinating wildlife. Protected in the early 1900s, Wind Cave has long been one of the nation's most treasured national parks. Protected by TNC and acquired by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in 1979, this iconic place draws visitors from all over to experience the North Shore. This working ranch encompasses landscapes representative of the Northern Great Plains Steppe. The Nature Conservancy's Niobrara Valley Preserve is one of the largest TNC preserves in the U.S., and a model for grassland management using cattle and fire. Dunn Ranch Prairie boasts breathtaking views of expansive grasslands, a thriving bison herd, hundreds of vibrant wildflower species and over 100 species of birds. The Current River is home to an impressive array of plants and animals, including more than 35 globally significant species. Steep buttes and red-walled canyons overlook the mixed grass prairie landscape of the Red Hills. It’s the world’s longest barrier island, home to a bustling resort community and habitat for 16 wildlife species with federal or state conservation status. The largest privately protected conservation area in the Ozarks, this 17,000-acre landscape rests in eastern Oklahoma's rolling Cookson Hills and overlooks the Illinois River. The largest protected remnant tallgrass prairie left on earth, this preserve boast over 39,650 acres, 750 identified speices, 2,500 bison and a natural prescribed burning regime. This gem is made up of more than 300 acres and home to several endangered species, including the diamondback rattlesnake. Located on the Archey Fork of the upper Little Red River, the preserve serves as a great spot for recreation and helps protect one of the state's largest drinking water resources. Broken Kettle Grasslands is home to Iowa's largest remaining prairie and over 200 bison. Land of the Swamp White Oak Preserve is home to a wide variety of amphibians and reptiles. The Matador Ranch is a hub for grassland conservation and science as well as home to a pioneering grassbank partnership with local ranching families. The Matador Ranch is a place to truly experience what is meant by Montana’s big skies. It’s also an exciting center for grassland research and conservation. Wildlife ranging from pronghorn and elk to greater sage-grouse, long-billed curlew and a host of other grassland birds thrive on the Matador, which is part of the largest stretch of native grassland left on the Northern Great Plains. The Matador’s pioneering grassbank enables local ranching families to graze the ranch at discounted cost in exchange for implementing conservation practices on their land – conserving more than 300,000 acres of grassland habitat. Nestled on the shore of Lake Superior between Duluth and the Canadian border, Tettegouche State Park is one of Minnesota's most-visited natural areas. Protected by The Nature Conservancy and acquired by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in 1979, this iconic place draws backpackers, anglers, hunters and many others to experience the wonder that is the North Shore. Here, The Nature Conservancy is working on an ambitious forest restoration initiative in the Superior National Forest and beyond to build climate-resilient forests in one of Minnesota's fastest-warming regions. Closeup of the Baptism River at Tettegouche State Park. Beginning as little more than a trickle flowing out of Lake Itasca, the near-pristine Mississippi River begins its journey in north central Minnesota surrounded by big forests dotted with wetlands. Established in 1891, the value of this special place has long been understood and appreciated. In fact, Itasca State Park welcomes more than 475,000 visitors annually who come from around the world to see where the Mighty Mississippi gets its start. Friends swimming at the headwaters of the Mississippi River in Itasca State Park. The Mississippi's headwaters area covers lakes, rivers, wetlands and forests within a 13-million-acre boundary. at TNC's John E. Williams Preserve in North Dakota. A federally endangered species, piping plovers are dependent on the sandy beaches of alkaline lakes to lay their eggs. Theodore Roosevelt National Park is located in the North Dakota Badlands, a scenic area that covers much of southwestern North Dakota. As part of the Badlands, Theodore Roosevelt National Park boats some seriously cool geologic formations. Located in the southwest corner of South Dakota, Wind Cave National Park boasts one of the densest cave systems in the world. Protected in the early 1900s, Wind Cave has long been one of the nation's most treasured national parks. In addition to its rare geological formations, it is also home to a particularly rare breed of bison. You might also find elk, prairie dogs, pronghorn and many other wildlife when you visit Wind Cave National Park. By acquiring land in this critical part of the Niobrara River watershed, TNC can put a face on who we are. Cherry Ranch is a working ranch, which allows us to be a neighbor, to be part of the local ranching community, to exchange management ideas, and to share in the decision-making process regarding the future best use of the river and its upland grasslands. An expansive view of The Nature Conservancy's Cherry Ranch in Nebraska. The Nature Conservancy's Niobrara Valley Preserve is one of the largest TNC preserves in the U.S., and a model for grassland management using cattle and fire. It encompasses majestic pine-clad canyons, extensive grasslands, and a 25-mile stretch of the Niobrara River. Of special interest to visitors are the bison herds grazing in the vast open prairie. Go back in time at the largest Niobrara Chalk formation in Kansas. This mile-long stretch of 100-foot-tall spires and cliffs opened to the public as Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park in October 2019. Owned and protected by The Nature Conservancy, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks  and Tourism manages visitor access. Take a moment to stop at Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park. The Rockies might take your breath away, but the spacious Kansas landscape will give it back again. Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism will offer guided, off-trail tours at Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park by appointment. The Red Hills is a vast, rugged region of south-central Kansas. Steep buttes and red-walled canyons overlook the mixed grass prairie landscape and host a diverse plant and animal community. Pristine, spring-fed streams course through the prairie and sustain a wide variety of aquatic life. The majority of Kansas’ 700 caves are found in the Red Hills and they house several bat species. Numerous grassland birds as well as amphibian and reptilian species also depend on the health of this area. Explore the beauty of the Red Hills by taking a trip on the Gyp Hills Scenic Byway. The oxidized iron in the soil gives the Red Hills their name. Also known as the Gypsum or Gyp Hills, the mixed-grass native prairie of the region extends into Oklahoma. Home to the rare prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) and a herd of 200 bison, the Broken Kettle Grasslands Preserve is the largest remaining prairie in Iowa. The preserve located in the 650,000-acre Loess Hills landform, not only protects iconic prairie wildlife but also the unique geology on which they roam. The Loess Hills in Iowa, are composed of deep deposits of wind-blown silt, formed as the glaciers from the last Ice Age retreated. The extent and depth of these loess deposits along Iowa’s western border are matched only in China. Bison at The Nature Conservancy's Broken Kettle Grassland Preserve in the Loess Hills of Iowa. This area is home to the greatest biodiversity in Iowa. With 85% of Iowa’s native amphibian and reptile species as well as, over 500 plant species, the Land of the Swamp White Oak preserve is located within the 470,000-acre floodplain landscape at the confluences of the Cedar, Iowa, and Mississippi Rivers in southeast Iowa. In 2007, this area was designated as the very first Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Area in the United States. In partnership with both public and private lands, this unique area has been protected to ensure an intact corridor of habitat along these major rivers. This wild landscape provides excellent opportunities for recreation such as hiking, paddling and wildlife watching. Youth celebrating nature at the 2nd Annual Swamp Stomp. The J. T. Nickel Family Nature and Wildlife Preserve is the largest privately protected conservation area in the Ozarks. This 17,000 acre landscape rests in eastern Oklahoma's rolling Cookson Hills and overlooks the Illinois River. Spring-fed creeks meander amid a rugged topography of steep slopes and narrow valleys harboring a mosaic of oak-hickory forest, lofty pine woodland, and a diverse mix of savanna, shrubland, and prairie. Take a walk along the three hiking trails to see sprawling forests and a diverse array of plant and animal species. Overlooking the lush forest of the Ozarks in eastern Oklahoma. Temperate grasslands are the least protected major habitat type on earth. TNC’s Dunn Ranch Prairie is a 3,258 restored tallgrass prairie in northern Missouri and is part of the larger Grand River Grasslands Conservation Area, which spans 70,000 acres in Missouri and Iowa. Dunn Ranch Prairie boasts breathtaking views of expansive grasslands, a thriving bison herd, and hundreds of vibrant wildflower and bird species. It is home to one of the last populations of the state-endangered greater prairie-chicken and federally endangered Topeka shiner minnow. You can visit virtually today by watching Dunn Ranch Prairie’s live prairie cam. Flowers bloom during a summer month on the prairie at Dunn Ranch near Eagleville, MO. The Current River is home to an impressive array of plants and animals, including more than 35 globally significant species – some of which are found nowhere else on earth. Others have their healthiest populations in this region. It is also a major breeding habitat for migrating and nesting birds. Nestled in the heart of the Ozarks, more than 1.5 million fly-fishers, paddlers, bird watchers, hikers, swimmers, spelunkers, and other nature lovers visit the Current River each year for its stunning scenery and many recreational opportunities which can be accessed at numerous points along its banks. If you want to hike, fish, mountain bike, paddle, camp or just explore, Bluffton Preserve is the spot for you. Located on the Archey Fork of the upper Little Red River, the preserve serves as a great spot for recreation and helps protect one of the state's largest drinking water resources, Greers Ferry Lake. Home to the yellowcheek darter, one of our favorite endangered and endemic species, Bluffton Preserve is a highlight for conservation happening in the state. The Archey Fork of the upper Little Red River’s crystal clear waters are a draw for paddlers and swimmers alike. The multiuse trail at Bluffton Preserve passes through a large field. Rattlesnake Ridge Natural Area, located at the beginning of the Ouachita Mountain Range, is made up of more than 300 acres and home to three species of state conservation concern, including the western diamondback rattlesnake.  But don't let that keep you away! With more than five miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, there’s something here for everyone. West Texas is typically characterized by miles of desert landscapes, but as you approach Davis Mountains Preserve, a lush mountain oasis rises up from the surrounding Chihuahuan desert and invites you in to explore. One of just three sky islands in the state,  the Davis Mountains are cooler and wetter than the desert around them, providing habitat for plants and wildlife not found anywhere else in the state. You can find Ponderosa pines, alligator juniper and mountain mahogany, as well as black bears, bobcat, elk, mountains lions, Grace’s warblers, golden eagles, mountain chickadees and more as you make your way through stunning landscapes that recall Texas’ rugged history and heritage. Hikers explore the Davis Mountain Preserve in Fort Davis, Texas. Bordered by the Laguna Madre to the west and the Gulf of Mexico to the east, Padre Island stretches for 113 miles down the southern Texas coastline. It’s the world’s longest barrier island, home to a bustling resort community and habitat for 16 wildlife species with federal or state conservation status—including the world's smallest and most critically endangered sea turtle, the Kemp's ridley. In 2000, The Nature Conservancy and its partners came together to safeguard nearly 25,000 acres of South Padre Island. Nearly two decades later, we've added over 6,200 acres to that number to protect  what's left of the wild, undeveloped Texas Gulf coastline for future generations to enjoy. The prairies of the central U.S. are an iconic American landscape. TNC is working to protect and restore native grasslands to benefit people and nature. We are collaborating with policy and industry leaders to minimize the impacts of development and maintain the health of American prairies. [{"countryCode":"hti","countryName":"Haiti"},{"countryCode":"mmr","countryName":"Myanmar"},{"countryCode":"png","countryName":"Papua New Guinea"},{"countryCode":"pri","countryName":"Puerto Rico"},{"countryCode":"hkg","countryName":"Hong Kong"},{"countryCode":"usa","countryName":"United States"},{"countryCode":"bol","countryName":"Bolivia"},{"countryCode":"pry","countryName":"Paraguay"},{"countryCode":"bhs","countryName":"Bahamas"},{"countryCode":"cri","countryName":"Costa Rica"},{"countryCode":"slb","countryName":"Solomon Islands"},{"countryCode":"gab","countryName":"Gabon"},{"countryCode":"mng","countryName":"Mongolia"},{"countryCode":"chn","countryName":"China"},{"countryCode":"pan","countryName":"Panama"},{"countryCode":"bra","countryName":"Brazil"},{"countryCode":"gtm","countryName":"Guatemala"},{"countryCode":"chl","countryName":"Chile"},{"countryCode":"col","countryName":"Colombia"},{"countryCode":"ecu","countryName":"Ecuador"},{"countryCode":"arg","countryName":"Argentina"},{"countryCode":"vir","countryName":"Virgin Islands"},{"countryCode":"ury","countryName":"Uruguay"},{"countryCode":"eur","countryName":"Europe"},{"countryCode":"syc","countryName":"Seychelles"},{"countryCode":"tza","countryName":"Tanzania"},{"countryCode":"blz","countryName":"Belize"},{"countryCode":"zmb","countryName":"Zambia"},{"countryCode":"ken","countryName":"Kenya"},{"countryCode":"ind","countryName":"India"},{"countryCode":"nzl","countryName":"New Zealand"},{"countryCode":"can","countryName":"Canada"},{"countryCode":"cub","countryName":"Cuba"},{"countryCode":"ven","countryName":"Venezuela"},{"countryCode":"nic","countryName":"Nicaragua"},{"countryCode":"nam","countryName":"Namibia"},{"countryCode":"dom","countryName":"Dominican Republic"},{"countryCode":"hnd","countryName":"Honduras"},{"countryCode":"mex","countryName":"Mexico"},{"countryCode":"zaf","countryName":"South Africa"},{"countryCode":"fsm","countryName":"Micronesia"},{"countryCode":"aus","countryName":"Australia"},{"countryCode":"jam","countryName":"Jamaica"},{"countryCode":"per","countryName":"Peru"},{"countryCode":"idn","countryName":"Indonesia"}] [{"stateCode":"al","stateName":"Alabama"},{"stateCode":"ak","stateName":"Alaska"},{"stateCode":"az","stateName":"Arizona"},{"stateCode":"ar","stateName":"Arkansas"},{"stateCode":"ca","stateName":"California"},{"stateCode":"co","stateName":"Colorado"},{"stateCode":"ct","stateName":"Connecticut"},{"stateCode":"de","stateName":"Delaware"},{"stateCode":"dc","stateName":"District of Columbia"},{"stateCode":"fl","stateName":"Florida"},{"stateCode":"ga","stateName":"Georgia"},{"stateCode":"hi","stateName":"Hawaii"},{"stateCode":"id","stateName":"Idaho"},{"stateCode":"il","stateName":"Illinois"},{"stateCode":"in","stateName":"Indiana"},{"stateCode":"ia","stateName":"Iowa"},{"stateCode":"ks","stateName":"Kansas"},{"stateCode":"ky","stateName":"Kentucky"},{"stateCode":"la","stateName":"Louisiana"},{"stateCode":"me","stateName":"Maine"},{"stateCode":"md","stateName":"Maryland"},{"stateCode":"ma","stateName":"Massachusetts"},{"stateCode":"mi","stateName":"Michigan"},{"stateCode":"mn","stateName":"Minnesota"},{"stateCode":"ms","stateName":"Mississippi"},{"stateCode":"mo","stateName":"Missouri"},{"stateCode":"mt","stateName":"Montana"},{"stateCode":"ne","stateName":"Nebraska"},{"stateCode":"nv","stateName":"Nevada"},{"stateCode":"nh","stateName":"New Hampshire"},{"stateCode":"nj","stateName":"New Jersey"},{"stateCode":"nm","stateName":"New Mexico"},{"stateCode":"ny","stateName":"New York"},{"stateCode":"nc","stateName":"North Carolina"},{"stateCode":"nd","stateName":"North Dakota"},{"stateCode":"oh","stateName":"Ohio"},{"stateCode":"ok","stateName":"Oklahoma"},{"stateCode":"or","stateName":"Oregon"},{"stateCode":"pa","stateName":"Pennsylvania"},{"stateCode":"ri","stateName":"Rhode Island"},{"stateCode":"sc","stateName":"South Carolina"},{"stateCode":"sd","stateName":"South Dakota"},{"stateCode":"tn","stateName":"Tennessee"},{"stateCode":"tx","stateName":"Texas"},{"stateCode":"ut","stateName":"Utah"},{"stateCode":"vt","stateName":"Vermont"},{"stateCode":"va","stateName":"Virginia"},{"stateCode":"wa","stateName":"Washington"},{"stateCode":"wv","stateName":"West Virginia"},{"stateCode":"wi","stateName":"Wisconsin"},{"stateCode":"wy","stateName":"Wyoming"}] into this text box your request will not be processed. Please enter a valid email address (formatted as name@company.com). We are sorry, but there was a problem processing the reCAPTCHA response. Please contact us at webmaster@tnc.org or try again later. The Nature Conservancy is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization (tax identification number 53-0242652) under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Global sites represent either regional branches of The Nature Conservancy or local affiliates of The Nature Conservancy that are separate entities. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.